I hate to admit it, but my breakfast typically consists of chugging a cup of coffee on the way out the door. And if I need to boost productivity at work, I pour another dose of caffeine. The thing is, I’m not the only who is guilty of this. In an effort to maximize our efficiency at work, we consume unhealthy food and beverages because it is quick, easy, and readily available. This is the same phenomenon observed by Apple-A-Day.

Dedicated to promoting health, the company brings fresh Washington apples weekly to their clients, benefiting employers, employees, and local businesses. Employers are able to increase productivity and morale (visit their website to read more on this). Providing apples to employees helps increase health but also makes employees feel valued (which is a form of motivation). Employers are also giving back to the community, left over apples are donated to local charity and food banks. The apples themselves are fresh, come in a variety of types, and support local business.

These Washington apples are grown locally (in Yakima and Wenatchee). Then Peterson Fruit (a family-owned fruit wholesaler) picks up the apples and brings them back to Mukilteo, WA. Apple-A-Day then drives early Monday morning to pick up and deliver these fresh apples. The point is, these local businesses are able to work together which allows for fresh and affordable products coming directly to you.

Apple-A-Day started in 2009, when father of Danielle and Megan LaRiviere saw an opportunity. The seed was planted while he was sitting in the lobby of a business, and saw that water and apples were made available to customers. He then told his daughters about the idea and the rest is history.

While attending WSU the girls work remotely; finding clients, making sales, and recruiting talent (Driver Edgar Gudino has been a part of the team since 2010). During the summers, Danielle and Megan would continue to grow the business in their hometown of Yakima, WA.

At WSU Danielle studied Entrepreneurship, which led to business plan writing and participation in competitions. In 2012, her team received “Most Passionate” at the WSU competition and placement in the top 36 out of 101 teams at the UW competition. But it didn’t stop there. Upon graduation, Danielle teamed up with Alexia Schmidt (B.A. in Sociology from WSU) to bring Apple-A-Day to Western Washington.

Today they still serve the Yakima area but have also experienced growth. They have over 80 accounts in the Bellevue/Kirkland area, and just launched delivery to Seattle on June 3, 2013. They also received ‘Best New Innovative Product of 2013’ by the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce. All in all, this is a great example of the impact small business can have and the entrepreneurial spirit that is alive at Washington State University. Visit the Cougar Business Network to find more Coug owned businesses and Go Cougs!